Research creates perspectives: Karsten Wesche (Senckenberg)
June 2026
Karsten Wesche has a unique perspective on nature and biodiversity. His work takes him from Central Europe to Mongolia and China. In this interview, he explains what fascinates him about biodiversity, why Görlitz has become his home, and the importance of international projects for his work.
Who are you and what are you working or researching?
My name is Karsten Wesche, I am a botanist and conservation biologist. My research focuses primarily on the impact of land use on biodiversity, mainly in Central Europe, but also in Mongolia and China. I work primarily at the Senckenberg Museum in Görlitz, where I have headed the Görlitz site since 2023 and, since 2025, also the Senckenberg site in Dresden
Why did you come to Görlitz and what convinced you to work here?
For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by natural history. The combination of natural history, conservation research, and working with scientific collections, in my case primarily herbaria, immediately appealed to me when I applied for the position at the Natural History Museum. I've been with Senckenberg in Görlitz since 2010 and consider it a great privilege – and also a lifelong dream fulfilled – to be able to work here.
How did you experience your arrival in Görlitz and what do you like about living in the city?
Before my family and I came to Görlitz, we lived briefly in Göttingen and for many years in Halle. We were surprised by the sheer beauty of our city, its rich cultural offerings, and the diversity of the surrounding area; from early Baroque to the Gründerzeit (late 19th-century industrial boom), from (musical) theater to the Jazz Days, from the mountains to the sandy plains. We also value the opportunities and experiences we can gain in neighboring countries. Being able to freely exchange ideas across national borders is a locational advantage that we must preserve.
The city offers a high quality of life, especially for families with young children, and Senckenberg provides ideal working conditions. At Senckenberg in Görlitz, and indeed throughout the entire Senckenberg network, there is a truly welcoming culture and a collegial atmosphere that I wouldn't want to be without.
What makes the science region around Görlitz special from your point of view?
Görlitz is "only" a medium-sized city, boasting academic institutions but no large university. Nevertheless, science has a strong tradition here, and precisely because there was no university, many institutions have developed. What's special is the mix and the dynamism; in recent years alone, major research institutions like the IÖR, CASUS, and DZA have been added. Görlitz's somewhat remote location also brings us closer together, and collaborations are rapidly growing, even across quite different disciplines. And yes – researchers are people too, and they benefit from the high quality of life here.
What surprised you most about Görlitz or about your work here?
The biggest surprise was certainly the beauty of the city and the astonishingly wide variety of cultural offerings.
What are you currently working on?
We are currently working on a new edition of Rothmaler, probably the most comprehensive identification guide for the plants of Germany. Besides native biodiversity, Mongolia has become particularly important to me; a large team is currently developing the new international traveling exhibition "Steppe Guardians" there, which showcases the unique interplay of nature and culture in Mongolia.
What would you say to other international scientists who are considering coming to Görlitz?
Germany as a whole is certainly still one of the best countries for research. Worldwide, science is mostly associated with universities – but Germany in particular has many excellent research institutions that are not directly universities. Görlitz has several medium-sized institutions, and increasingly large ones, including the DZA, which offer attractive research opportunities both nationally and internationally. And those who enjoy academic teaching will also find opportunities at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and/or the Institute for Applied Hematology and Social Sciences (IHI) at TU Dresden
Do you have a personal tip for anyone who is new to Görlitz?
Don't let anything discourage you and be curious – it's worth it.
About the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz
The Görlitz Museum of Natural History has stood for scientific research and knowledge dissemination for more than 200 years. As part of the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research, more than 100 employees work on issues of biodiversity, the interactions between organisms and their environment, and the future of ecosystems in the context of global change. Their work is based on scientific collections comprising approximately 7 million objects.
Through its involvement in academic teaching and the communication of scientific knowledge to a broad public through exhibitions, educational programs and research projects, the museum strengthens the Lausitz science region.
Text: Senckenberg Society for Natural Research
This portrait was created in cooperation with Hi!Lusatia eV as part of the exhibition “Hi!Lusatia – Research creates perspectives” in the Brüderstraße Gallery in Görlitz.
